Figar-who? If you don't know, then this is for you

By TOM SZAROLETAThe Times-Union,

Don't be too quick to dismiss opera as an elitist art form for the rich and snooty. The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra is doing Barber of Seville this weekend, and it's more fun than you might expect.

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For those whose knowledge of opera stems from that "kill the wabbit" episode of Bugs Bunny, here's a guide to Saturday's performance.

Q: Isn't opera just a bunch of fat people screaming in Italian?

Well, no. This year's opera performance, the symphony's sixth since 2001, features the full symphony orchestra, the Jacksonville Symphony Chorus and some very gifted (and, judging by the photos we found on the Web, far from obese) singers who have spent decades training to reach some of those notes. Yes, it is in Italian, just the way Gioacchino Rossini wrote it nearly 200 years ago, but there will be supertitles so patrons can read along with the story.

Q: You mean there's, like, a story?

Of course there is. It's about Rosina, a lovely young 18th century Spanish senorita who's in love with dashing young Count Almaviva, much to the dismay of the strict Dr. Bartolo, who keeps her under lock and key and intends to make her his wife. The town barber, Figaro, schemes to bring the young lovers together. There are loads of disguises, deceptions, mistaken identities and misunderstandings.

Q: Sounds like an episode of Three's Company.

It was considered one of the finest examples of opera buffa (comic opera) of its day, and it has endured for nearly two centuries, which is probably more than you can say for Three's Company.

Q: So who's in it?

If you're not an opera fan, you probably won't recognize the names, but they're all very accomplished performers. Grant Youngblood (Figaro) has performed with opera companies in San Francisco, New York, Washington, Montreal and Orlando. Sandra Piques Eddy (Rosina) has played more than a dozen roles with the Metropolitan Opera. Other key players are Brian Downen as Count Almaviva, Kevin Glavin as Dr. Bartolo, Matthew Lau as Basilio, Heather Parker as Berta and Gerald Dolter and Fiorello. Fabio Mechetti leads the orchestra.

Q: Any car chases? Explosions? Guys in hockey masks and with chain saws chasing people around?